Sea of Thieves

Push SquareAaron Bayne

9/10

Sea of Thieves has finally dropped its anchor in PS5 waters, bringing with it years of content updates, quality of life improvements, and some of the best-looking water in a video game. But is this now former Xbox exclusive still worth playing six years after its initial launch? And how friendly is it to newcomers like us? After taking to the high seas with a rag-tag crew on PS5, Sea of Thieves proves itself to be one of the most approachable live service games on the market, and one we can’t wait to see grow on PlayStation.

Pure XboxPJ O'Reilly

9/10

Sea of Thieves has managed to successfully steer a course through turbulent waters during its first two years. Its once somewhat sterile and empty world is now full to bursting point with activities and distractions and it's got a sense of direction and purpose which mean players don't need to work nearly as hard to find ways in which to indulge their inner Black Beard. Tall Tales provide a properly meaty, narrative-driven campaign that works equally as well for solo players as it does for eager crews of four and that once empty horizon is now full of things to see and do as you make your way ...

But Why ThoMatt Sowinski

8/10

Sea of Thieves is a great game that offers a lot. Between the PvE elements, PvP chaos, story missions, added content, and the upcoming Season 12, there’s a ton to engage with. Playing solo may be a mixed experience, but when it clicked, there was so much to enjoy with your time on the sea. Hitting the high seas with a crew is a genuine blast, leading to absolute chaos in no time flat.

CGMagazineJustin Wood

8/10

Even after six years, Sea Of Thieves remains a great time with friends, and now, with the PlayStation 5 port, even more friends can join in the hilariously fun high sea adventures.

Screen RantJason Hon

8/10

Players looking for a relaxing adventure on the Sea of Thieves open waters may explore the Safer Seas, where they won't be bothered by other potentially bloodthirsty pirates. The High Seas provide more dangers and rewards, but either mode will introduce the gorgeous art design and lighting of the Sea of Thieves vibrant world, which is capable of encouraging players to stop whatever they are doing to soak up the scenery. Attention to detail is so high in Sea of Thieves that players susceptible to getting sea-sickness in real life might experience it when sailing in the game.

GameSpotMichael Rougeau

8/10

More than two years after its launch, Sea of Thieves has improved in countless ways.

XboxEraJon "Sikamikanico" Clarke

8/10

If there’s one take away I have from my time with Sea of Thieves over the last two years, is that it’s been such a pleasure to see it evolve. I’ve been there for some amazing moments, from first uniting with another crew to take on a legendary megalodon, to battling relentless foes on a quest to keep every piece of treasure I could find. I’ve experienced the triumph of victory, the bitterness of losing everything as my ships sinks beneath the waves. I’ve enjoyed the quieter moments with friends just talking about life. I’ve undertaken amazing quests, solved unique and often mind-bending riddle...

PCGamesNDustin Bailey

8/10

A year of updates has helped fill out its light content, but the real magic was there from the start. Rare’s take on cartoon piracy encourages you to behave as a cartoon pirate should: a little bloodthirsty, a little silly, and almost always drunk.

VideogamerAlice Bell

6/10

Rare's piratical playground looks lovely, but you have to make a bit too much of your own fun. The sound and the fury of the waves is lovely, but for Sea of Thieves to be properly good it needs to give the players more to work with.

Press StartJames Berich

5/10

While Sea of Thieves is one of the best-looking games this generation, it unfortunately fails to live up to the expectations of most players. Incredibly fun with friends and designed to encourage teamwork successfully, Sea of Thieves just lacks the content or the staying power to be worth it. The foundation here is solid, and I’m sure it’ll grow into something remarkable as time goes by, but in its current state, the state it’s being offered in, it’s hard to recommend.

KotakuHeather Alexandra

Unscored

Playing Sea of Thieves feels a bit like working in a theater before the set has been completely built. There’s plenty of space to goof around and a few swords in the wings to have mock fights with, but none of its quite ready for show time. A lack of features and polish has frustrated some players, but those willing to meet the game halfway will discover a game that’s exciting and pensive in equal measure. Sea of Thieves is as fickle and changeable as the sea itself.

The Punished BacklogSam Martinelli

Unscored

In hour three of a five-hour session of Sea of Thieves recently, I found myself standing at the bow of my galleon with my two crewmates. The sun was setting, the waters were calm, and there was nary a whiff of danger anywhere near. In this moment, I decided to take out my accordion to begin playing a light tune.